Improvement in brick and pottery kilns



2 Sheets--Sheet" 1.

J. B. DE PALM.

Brick Kiin.

Patented June 6, 1854.

klwgmphur. wman am n c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH BARON DE PALM, OF ,NETV YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT INBRICK AND POTTEIIRY KILNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 11,002, dated June 6, 1854.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH BARON DE PALM, a subject of the King of Bavaria,but now residin g in New York city, New York, in ave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Kilns forBurning orBaking Bricks, Tiles, and other Kinds of Earthen or Pottery Ware, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which.

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved kiln; Fig. 2, a vertical section, and Figs. 3 and 4 horizontal sections taken at the .lines A a and B b of Fig. 2.

The same letters indicate like parts in all the figures.

Fig. 1 represents the front elevation or outside view of the kiln with its chimney i, the cupola or dome B, the entrances or hatchways into the same 19, the gallery all around the dome q, the lower part of the kiln or baking-chambers A, the lower range of hatchways 0, with the doors for fuel I), an indication of the iron gratings e, the ash-pits d, and finally the air-channels c to generate and increase the air-blast.

Fig. 2 represents the sectional view on line 0c 00 of Fig. 3. A indicates the lower part of' the kiln or baking-chambers; B, the upper part of the kiln or vapor-vaults; a, platform for access; 1), door for fuel; o,air-channe1s; d,

ash-pits; e, grates for fuel; f, transverse airchannels; 9, division-walls; h, air-chambers in the Walls; 'L', chimney; 7c, register to chimney; Z, air-shafts for ascertaining the temperature; m, registers; n, trap-door to baking chamber; 0, entrance to hatchway or chamber; q, gallery; '2", chains or rods to operate the registers.-

Fig. '3 represents the plan of the bakingchambers. I II III IV are the compartments into which the lower part of the kiln is subdivided, and illustrate the principle of a rotation baking. The same letters refer to the same parts as above described in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 represents the .plan of the vapor vaults or dome. The same ciphers show the correspondence with those of the bakingchambers below and indicate the same principle of rotation. The same letters also refer to the same parts as described in Fig. 2.

This novel and improved method of baking bricks, tiles, &c., comprises, therefore, first, a perfectly novel arrangementin a partition in the upper and lower part of the kiln, in order to bake simultaneouslyand in the same kiln with the same fire and without being obliged to disturb the goods before the bakingis completed both solid, coarse, good, andlighter and more delicate ware; second, an improved construction of thekiln-viz.,in subdivisi0nsin order to carry out a principle of rotation, baking in the dift'erent distinct subdivisions without any interruption of the process or a simult-aueousbakingin the differentcorresponding compartments; third,anew and improved application of a system of registers, a most perfect control, regulation, and concentration of the heat in the whole kiln and all its com-- partments, a saving of fuel by applying always the superfiuous heat of one compartment to the adjoining ones, a thorough consumption of the smoke instead of letting the same escape with the heat fourth, with this system of registers there is combined, also, an improved mode of constantly ascertaining the intensity and vigor of the heat in the kiln by means of thermometers; fifth, air-channels and transverse ones, by the actions of which 1 hot and cold air blasts can be generated and an y of the compartments supplied with them, as may be required.

This kiln, as clearly shown, consists thus only of one single kiln divided into different compartments to regulate more conveniently .the heat, which otherwise must indiscriminately circulate in one and the self-same kiln. An improved system of registers hasbeen adopted between the different compartments to regulate and distribute the heat, and by these means has been obviated a most important disadvantage arising where several kilns' vapor-vaults, employed more especially for all lighter and more delicate goods. The lower part of the kiln, or the baking-chambers, is divided into several distinct compartments or ehambers,which may be constructed either square (the angles being then strengthened by buttresses and the ceiling being a Vaulted groin) or round or oval, in which latter cases the angle-buttresses will not be required, and the ceiling maybe a Vault of slight rise. Each of the compartments which form the kiln is distinct one from another, yet at the same time all communicatingone with another byineans of registers, which at option may be partially or entirely opened,'so that the heat can circulate through the entire kiln. By the application of this system of registers a simultaneous bakingthat is to say, a baking can at any time be carried on in each compartment separately, or in several or in all of them at the same time, when, for instance, extensive orders require a large supply at once and within a short noticefor instance, in the case of sewer-pipes or drainingpipes, when it may be of the greatest importance to complete the draining of waste lands between the time of the harvest and the next season for cultivation. By application of the same system of registers also an improved system of a rotation baking can be carried out in the kilnthat is to say, a baking in the distinct parts of the kilns in turn and employing the heat which must circulate by means of the said registers throughout the whole of the kiln for perfecting the baking in the first compartment which is ignited, for partially baking and gradually drying and preparing for baking the goods in the adjoining compartments, so as to afford not only the greatest economy of fuel by applying the superfluous heat in the adjoining compartments instead of permitting it to escape waste through the chimney, while at the same time it consumes its own smoke, and thus qualifies this kiln (without any of the ordinary smoke nuisances) to be erected in the midst of or in the immediate neighborhood of large populated cities and towns, but also to afford, from its peculiar superiority, of the baking being possibly carried on all the year around without any interruption from climate, weather, or from season-an economy of time and labor which is estimated not less than threefifths of that necessarily employed in any other kiln.

The above system of gradual and preparatory baking, in connection with the most perfeet and successful control and regulation of the heat throughout the whole of the kiln, vindicates for the same another still more important advantageviz., that all bricks and other earthenware must be turned out most perfectly baked, of similar hardness, soundness, and color. It obviates all peril of a whole baking issuing a failure, and the vast saving of goods from their gradual exposure and preparatory mode of baking can be sufficiently appreciated if one considers that on an average not less than from twenty-five to thirty per cent. of goods are spoiled or lost in the ordinary method of baking by being under-baked, burst, or vitrified, which is particularly noticeable in the manufacturing 'of basins, closet-pans, pipes, 8220., wherefore this kiln in all its compartments has been considered and acknowledged to be especially adapted to the most successful and economical baking of glazed pipes, closet-pans, hollow bricks, Dutch clinkers, 850.

Each compartment or baking-chamber has several-two or morefurnaces with airgratings, which may be adapted to any kind of fuel even, and I quote that, from my own experience, where wood or coal is scarce the stalks of maize or seaweed and cane may be burned with the same effect, and as the numher and distribution of the furnaces does not constitute nor form part of my principle, their number and distribution may be modified according to the nature of the fuel or other circumstances. There are three tiers of doors or hatchways placed at a proper elevation, one above another and on different sides, for commencing and continuing the stacking of the bricks. The lowest door in front of the furnace has a small aperture which serves to admit the fuel, all the others being necessarily closely shut during that time. There are in every baking-chamber transverse air-channels to admit the atmospheric air and generate the hot and cold blasts, as may be required, and there are, further, from two to four air-shaftsto observe accurately .the heat and draft in the different parts of the kiln and enable any man intrusted with the management to regulate, moderate, or concen trate the heat precisely as he may require it by means of my new application of registers. From this new principle and the "effects it produces it is calculated that a kiln of the following dimensions will produce the best results in the quantity of goods which can be baked efficiently. The kiln is then proposed to be of thefollowing dimensions: fifty feet square on plan and fifty feet high-via, each compartment fifteen feet square on plan and thirty feet in height from the level of the floor. to the level of the vapor-vault, the latter from the level of its floor to the domed ceiling fourteen feet in height, measuring fifteen feet square on plan. It is proposed that the main walls should be constructed three feet in thickness, containing air-chambers for the better preservation of the walls and the economy in the construction. The internal walls will be eighteen inches in thickness, or nine inches each side of the air-chamber.

The upper part of the kilnviz., the vaporvaultsare divided in a corresponding manner with the lower part of the kiln or bakingchambers. Each vapor-vault is also distinct one from another, yet, like the baking-chambers, communicating one with another as well as with the corresponding baking-chamber by i l 4 I an improved application of registers, so that, in fact, the heat may at any time fully circulate throughout the entire kiln. All the vapor-vaults communicate separately with one common chimney. There is a trap-door in the center of each vapor ault for completing the stacking of the bricks in the bakingchambers. A door or hatchway leads from the surrounding gallery to the vapor-vault, from which gallery the air-shafts which open there can be observed.

The kiln is towered bya dome, which comprises the vapor-vaults. In the center rises a chimney employed to increase the draft in the kiln and eventually give vent to the accumulated vapors. The regulation of this chimney is also carried out by the application-registers communicating directly with the vaporvaults and indirectly with the furnaces below. All the registers are directed by means of chains conducted below in front of the furnaces for the operation of the manager or stoker.

The front or platform to every kiln ought to be made sloping, so as to be kept as dry as possible to facilitate the access and give better action to the air-channels.

I wish it particularly to be well understood that the kiln may be constructed of any dimensions. The above dimensions have from experience been deemed to yield by far the most satisfactory and advantageous results for pecuniary profit, and that size ought not to be transgressed, yet the kiln may be constructed of any reduced dimensions, retaining the system or principle.

I do not claim secondary or vapor chambers over the main chambers forming an upper tier with numerous apertures through which heat passes from below; but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is-

A series of upper and lower chambers in kilns for baking or burning brick and pottery, communicating with each other by apertu res in the partition-walls and floors, in combination with adjustable dampers or registers inthe apertures in the floorsbetween the upper and lower chambers, as herein described, for the purpose of regulating and controlling the heat in its ascent and directing it to those parts of the upper chambers where it may be most required, substantially as herein specified.

JOSEPH BARON DE PALM.

W'itnesses:

L. F. ROBINSON. CHAS. W. BAMBURGH. 

